Pre moistened wipes for use in treating anal rectal irritations and disorders

ABSTRACT

Many people who suffer from anal rectal discomfort and disorders need fibrous sheet materials which are pre-moistened with a solution for improved cleansing without excessive skin irritation. The invention particularly concerns wet wipes, such as anal-rectal wipes, which comprises a solution comprising hamamelis water or witch hazel, to effectively treat anal-rectal disorders.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to fibrous sheet materials which arepremoistened with a solution for improved cleansing without excessiveskin irritation. The invention particularly concerns wet wipes, such asanal-rectal wipes, which include hamamelis water or witch hazel, whichis suitable for a woman's anal-rectal and perineal area. The wet wipeshould comprise an effective cleansing solution but also benon-irritating and convey a sense and smell of freshness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wet wipes are well known commercial consumer products which have beenavailable in many forms. Perhaps the most common form of wet wipes hasbeen a stack of moistened sheets which have been packaged in a plasticcontainer. The wet wipes have been made from a variety of materialswhich have been moistened with a variety of suitable wiping solutions.Typically, the wet wipes have been available in either folded orunfolded configurations. For example, stacks of wet wipes have beenavailable wherein each of the wet wipes in the stack has been arrangedin a folded configuration such as a c-folded, z-folded or quarter-foldedconfiguration as are well known to those skilled in the art. Each foldedwet wipe has also been interfolded with the wet wipes immediately aboveand below in the stack of wet wipes. In an alternative configuration,the wet wipes have been in the form of continuous webs of material whichinclude perforations to separate the individual wet wipes and which arewound into rolls and packaged in plastic containers. Such wet wipes havebeen used for baby wipes, hand wipes, household cleaning wipes,industrial wipes and the like.

The solutions incorporated into conventional wet wipes have usuallyincluded a number of ingredients intended to enhance or impartparticular properties to the wipe. These properties have related to, forexample, cleaning efficacy, fragrance, medication, reduced irritation,skin health, aesthetics of the product and the like. For baby wipes, asolution providing a gentle soothing feeling without excessiveirritation or foam while maintaining cleaning and antimicrobial efficacyis highly desirable for product performance. Suitable ingredients usedto provide such properties have included water, emollients, surfactants,preservatives, chelating agents, pH buffers or combinations thereof. Thesolutions have also contained lotions and/or medicaments.

However, the conventional solutions and, in particular, the surfactantsin such solutions for wet wipes have not been completely satisfactory.For example, to reduce the level of skin irritation, conventional wetwipe solutions have included amphoteric surfactants which generallycause little or no skin irritation. Such amphoteric surfactants haveincluded sodium cocoamphoacetate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate.However, such amphoteric surfactants have typically not exhibited thehigh levels of cleaning efficacy associated with other surfactants suchas anionic surfactants. Such amphoteric surfactants typically have alsonot provided the optimum silky feeling to the skin which is desired byconsumers, particularly female consumers.

On the other hand, anionic surfactants, while exhibiting such cleaningefficacy, have generally caused excessive skin irritation such asdryness and scaling and, as a result, have not been suitable for use inwet wipe applications. The high level of skin irritation caused by suchsurfactants is particularly undesirable in female anal-rectal andperineal area medicament applications due to the tenderness of thevaginal and anal skin. Moreover, most anionic surfactants are suitablefor detergent compositions due to their high levels of foaming anddetersive activity. However, such foaming is generally undesirable inwet wipe applications and, in particular, in anal-rectal medicament wipeapplications. Consumers who use wet wipes prefer that the solution fromthe wet wipes not leave any soapy or bubbly residue on the surface ofthe skin since the solution is usually not wiped off the skin after thewet wipe is used.

For a woman's anal-rectal and perineal area medicament wipes, a solutionproviding a gentle soothing feeling without excessive irritation or foamwhile maintaining cleaning and antimicrobial efficacy is highlydesirable for product performance. The solution must be effective butalso non-irritating and convey a sense and smell of freshness. Babywipes are more for mild and effective cleansing whereas the novel wipesdisclosed in the present application are designed for mild and effectivecleansing but also soothing relief.

Accordingly, it remains desirable to provide solutions for wet wipeswhich include surfactants which exhibit improved cleaning efficacy whilenot causing excessive skin irritation or foaming.

It is highly desirable to use a surfactant that is specifically designedfor cleansing the delicate and sensitive skin of the female anal-rectaland perineal area. The betaine class of surfactants are desirablebecause they provide effective cleansing, generally do not foam and areknown for their mildness characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, new wetwipes which have improved solutions for application to a woman'sanal-rectal and perineal area have been discovered.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a wet wipe comprising afibrous sheet material and a non-oily aqueous-based solution whichcomprises:

-   -   a) from about 10 to about 50 percent witch hazel;    -   b) from about 0.01 to about 2 percent of at least one        emulsifier; and    -   c) from about 0.01 to about 0.20 percent of at least one        emollient;    -   wherein the weight percent is based on a total weight of said        solution.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a wet wipecomprising a fibrous sheet material and a non-oily aqueous-basedsolution which comprises:

-   -   a.) about 20 weight percent witch hazel;    -   b.) about 9 weight percent glycerin;    -   c.) about 5 weight percent propylene glycol;    -   d.) about 1.5 weight percent ethoxylated shea butter;    -   e.) about 0.2 weight percent cucumber extract;    -   f.) about 0.2 weight percent chamomile extract;    -   g.) about 0.2 weight percent diazolidinyl urea;    -   h.) about 0.2 weight percent fragrance;    -   i.) about 0.2 weight percent methylparaben;    -   j.) about 0.1 weight percent capryl/capramidopropyl betaine;    -   k.) about 0.1 weight percent aloe vera;    -   l.) about 0.1 weight percent vitamin E actetate;    -   m.) about 0.09 weight percent citric acid;    -   n.) about 0.09 weight percent sodium citrate;    -   o.) about 0.05 weight percent edetate disodium; and    -   p.) about 0.05 weight percent propylparaben;    -   q.) about 63 weight percent added purified water;    -   wherein the weight percent is based on a total weight of said        solution.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method ofusing a wet wipe made in accordance with the wet wipe described abovecomprising using the wet wipe with the solution contained thereon towipe a human's skin and leaving a solution deposited by using the wetwipe on the human's skin after wiping is completed.

The present invention, in its various aspects, advantageously relates towet wipes for application to a woman's anal-rectal and perineal area,which, when compared to conventional wet wipes, have improved cleaningefficacy without excessive skin irritation or foaming and convey a senseand smell of freshness. Moreover, the present invention providessolutions for wet wipes which leave a lubricious, silky feeling to theskin during and after application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fibrous materials and, in particular,wet wipes which have a multi-component preservation system that isappropriate for a multiple-use-packaged-product for the anal/peri-analarea. The wet wipes comprise a mild surfactant to promote cleaning andprovide soothing relief to the irritated area and is appropriate forpotentially irritated peri-anal tissues. The wet wipes of the presentinvention can be used for anal rectal disorders, such as hemorrhoids andthe like. Such wet wipes are generally folded and arranged in a stackedconfiguration inside a suitable container for consumer sale.

Materials suitable for such wet wipes are well known to those skilled inthe art. The wet wipes are typically made from fibrous sheet materialswhich may be woven or nonwoven. For example, the wet wipes of thepresent invention may include nonwoven fibrous sheet materials whichinclude meltblown, coform, air-laid, bonded-carded web materials,hydro-entangled materials, combinations thereof and the like. Suchmaterials can comprise synthetic or natural fibers or combinationsthereof. Typically, the wet wipes define a basis weight of from about 25to about 120 grams per square meter and desirably from about 40 to about90 grams per square meter.

The wet wipes of the present invention may comprise a coform basesheetof polymeric microfibers and cellulosic fibers having a basis weight offrom about 60 to about 80 grams per square meter and desirably about 75grams per square meter. Such coform basesheets are manufacturedgenerally as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson et al.which issued Jul. 11, 1978, and which is herein incorporated byreference. Typically, such coform basesheets comprise a gas-formedmatrix of thermoplastic polymeric meltblown microfibers, such as, forexample, polypropylene microfibers, and cellulosic fibers, such as, forexample, wood pulp fibers.

Most preferably, the wet wipes of the present invention are commerciallyavailable Grade SX-810® nonwoven material sold by Ahlstrom Green BayInc. of Green Bay, Wis.

Alternatively, the wet wipes of the present invention can comprise acomposite which includes multiple layers of materials. For example, thewet wipes may include a three layer composite which includes anelastomeric film or meltblown layer between two coform layers asdescribed above. In such a configuration, the coform layers may define abasis weight of from about 15 to about 30 grams per square meter and theelastomeric layer may include a film material such as a polyethylenemetallocene film.

The individual wet wipes are generally arranged in a foldedconfiguration. Such folded configurations are well known to thoseskilled in the art and include c-folded, z-folded, quarter-foldedconfigurations and the like. Each wet wipe may also be interfolded withthe wet wipes immediately above and below in the stack of wet wipes. Thewet wipes generally define an unfolded width and an unfolded length. Thewet wipes may have any suitable unfolded width and length. For example,the wet wipes may have an unfolded length of from about 2.0 to about80.0 centimeters and an unfolded width of from about 2.0 to about 80.0centimeters.

The wet wipes of the different aspects of the present invention alsocontain a solution which is absorbed into the wet wipes. The amount ofsolution contained within each wet wipe may vary depending upon the typeof material being used to provide the wet wipe, the type of solutionbeing used, the type of container being used to store the wet wipes, andthe desired end use of the wet wipes. Generally, each wet wipe cancontain from about 150 to about 600 weight percent and desirably fromabout 250 to about 450 weight percent solution based on the dry weightof the wipe for improved wiping.

In one aspect of the present invention, the wet wipes are packaged in astack in a plastic container. In such an container, the preferred ratioof solution to dry weight of the wipe is from about 3.5:1 to about4.5:1, more preferably from about 3.8:1 to about 4.3:1 and mostpreferably from about 4:1 solution to wipe based on dry weight of saidwet wipe. If the amount of solution is less than the above-identifiedrange, the wet wipe may be too dry and may not adequately perform. Ifthe amount of solution is greater than the above-identified range, thewet wipe may be oversaturated and soggy and the solution may pool in thebottom of the container.

In a particular aspect, wherein the wet wipes are individually packagedin a foil pouch, the preferred ratio of solution to dry weight of thewipe is from about 3.5:1 to about 6:1, more preferably from about 3.5:1to about 5.2:1 and most preferably from about 4.7:1 solution to wipebased on dry weight of said wet wipe.

The solution in the wet wipe of the present invention comprises witchhazel, which is an effective cleansing agent and contributes a soothing,cooling and distinctive fragrance to the solution of the presentinvention. The amount of witch hazel present in the solution varies in arange from about 10 to about 50 percent, more preferably in a range fromabout 10 to about 20 percent, and most preferably about 20 percent,based on a total weight of the solution. In a particular embodiment, thepresent invention comprises witch hazel or hamamelis water as a suitablecleaning agent, commercially available from American Distilling Inc. andhaving an alcohol content of 14%.

To provide improved tactile properties and cleaning efficacy withoutexcessive foaming or skin irritation, the solution in the wet wipes ofthe present invention comprises an amphoteric or zwitterionicsurfactant. The betaine family of zwitterions possesses thepositive-negative head group structure of trimethyl glycine (betaine),an amino acid derived from sugar beets. The hydrophobic tail group canbe a straight chain alkyl group (such as in coco betaine), or cancontain an amido group, such as cocamidopropyl betaine. Other betainesinclude lauramidopropyl betaine, oleamidopropyl betaine,ricinoleamidopropyl betaine, cetyl betaine and dimer dilinoleamidopropylbetaine. Additional variants are sulfobetaines, hydroxysulfobetaines andsultaines. Betaines are more resistant to thickening via addition ofsalts than their anionic cousins. For this reason, in order to achieve apleasingly thick product, addition of viscosity-boosting polymericadditives may be necessary, which can increase the cost and complexityof the formula (see http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/ingredients/zwitterionic-surfactants-a-milder-alternative).

To provide the improved tactile and cleansing properties to the wet wipeof the present invention without excessive foaming or skin irritation,the solution of the present invention comprises at least one surfactant,preferably a betaine surfactant. The solution may include any amount ofthe betaine surfactant which provides the desired properties. Thespecific betaine selected can have a significant impact upon theviscosity, foaming behavior and detergency of the final product. In aparticular embodiment, the solution includes from about 0.01 to about 10weight percent and desirably from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percentof the betaine surfactant based on a total weight of the solution. Mostpreferably, the present invention comprises a capryl/capramidopropylbetaine, sold under the tradename Tego Betaine 810®, commerciallyavailable from Evnoik Degussa, in a range of about 0.1 w/w % based on atotal weight of the solution. Solutions having a less than the preferredsurfactant weight percent ratios can be undesirable because ofundesirable tactile properties such as tackiness and loss of silky afterfeel, reduced detersive activity and increased skin irritation.

The solution contained within the wet wipes of the present inventiondefines a pH from about 5 to about 7 and desirably from about 5 to about6. A pH level below about 5 is generally undesirable because ofpotential skin irritation. Whereas, a pH level greater than about 7 isalso undesirable due to possible compromising of preservative activityand can lead to skin irritation. Suitable buffers, such citric acid andsodium citrate, can be employed to relative amounts to achieve thedesired pH. The solution of the present invention comprises a buffersystem of about from 0.05 to about 0.25 weight percent of said solution.

The solution may also comprise a variety of other components which mayassist in providing the desired wiping and cleaning properties. Forexample, the components may include water, emollients, at least onesurfactant, at least one preservative, at least one chelating agent, atleast one pH buffer, at least one fragrance or combinations thereof. Thesolution may also contain at least one lotion and/or medicament. Toprovide reduced skin irritation, the solution desirably includes atleast from about 30 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of addedpurified water based on a total weight of the solution, more preferablyabout 63 weight percent of added purified water based on a total weightof the solution.

For example, the solution may include an effective amount of at leastone preservative to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Suitablepreservatives are well known to those skilled in the art and mayinclude, for example, parabens, sodiumhydroxymethylglycinate, organicacids such as benzoic and malic acid, DMDM hydantoin and the like andcombinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the antimicrobialpreservative comprises methylparaben, propylparaben and diazolidinylurea which is commercially available from ISP Technologies, Inc. underthe trade designation GERMALL II. The solution may include any amount ofthe preservatives which provides the desired antimicrobial effect. Forexample, the solution may include from about 0.1 to about 0.5 weightpercent of the antimicrobial preservative based on a total weight of thesolution, preferably 0.40 weight percent on a total weight of thesolution.

Applicants have discovered that, when compared to conventional wet wipeswhich have included other types of surfactants, the wet wipes accordingto the different aspects of the present invention which comprise abetaine surfactant have improved tactile properties and cleaningefficacy without excessive levels of skin irritation. The solution mayfurther include additional surfactants which can act as an emulsifier orprovide additional cleansing properties. Suitable cosurfactants include,for example, anionic surfactants such as acyl glutamates and acylisethionates, alkanolamids, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactantsand the like or combinations thereof. For example, a suitable acylglutamate anionic surfactant is potassium cocyl glutamate, a suitableacyl isethionate anionic surfactant is ammonium cocyl isethionate, andsuitable amphoteric surfactants include disodium capryloamphdipropionateand disodium cocoamphodiactetate. Suitable nonionic surfactants includediethanolamides having an average of from 12 to 16 carbon atoms,alkylphenol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates, sorbitan esters, glycerolesters and the like. The solution may include any amount of thecosurfactant which provides the improved cleaning or tactile properties.For example, the solution may include from about 0.01 to about 5 weightpercent of the cosurfactant based on a total weight of the solution. Thepresent invention, in its most preferred embodiment, does not comprisethe presence of co-surfactants in order to limit the irritationpotential.

Moreover, the wet wipes of the present invention desirably exhibit lowlevels of foaming for improved performance. The wet wipes also exhibit alubricious, silky feeling to the user for improved consumer acceptance.

The present invention comprises at least one suitable emollient or acombination of suitable emollients, such as botanical butters, vitamin Eacetate, and aloe vera. The present invention comprises at least oneemollient individually in a range of from about 0.01 percent to about 2percent, more preferably individually in a range from about 0.01 percentto about 1.8 percent, and most preferably individually about 1.5 percentemollient wherein the weight percent is based on a total weight of saidsolution of the present invention. Preferably, the emollient is avitamin derivative, most preferably vitamin E acetate.

Applicants have discovered that the use of an ethoxylated shea butteremollient, preferably the PEG-75 ethoxylated shea butter glyceride,serves multiple functions of providing emolliency, emulsification, andof co-solubilizing at least one additional emollient, preferably vitaminE acetate, which is well known in the art to be water-insoluble.Preferably, the emulsifier of the present invention is a botanicalbutter, more preferably an ethoxylated botanical butter, and mostpreferably an ethoxylated shea butter. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the solution comprises PEG-75 ethoxylated sheabutter, commercially available from Aarhuskarlshamn under the trade nameof Lipex 102 E-75®, as a most preferred emulsifier. The presentinvention comprises at least one emulsifier individually in a range offrom about 0.01 percent to about 2 percent, more preferably individuallyin a range from about 0.01 percent to about 1.8 percent, and mostpreferably individually about 1.5 percent emulsifier wherein the weightpercent is based on a total weight of said solution of the presentinvention.

During manufacture of the solution of the present invention, theethoxylated shea butter glyceride is melted at 50 degrees C. in aseparate side-phase mixing vessel. The vitamin E acetate is added tothis side-phase vessel and dissolved in the ethoxylated shea butterglycerides with mixing. This side phase is then added to the main batchwhich is at ambient room temperature (about 25 degrees C.) with vigorousmixing of the main batch. The ethoxylated shea butter glycerides/vitaminE acetate phase is added as the second to last ingredient addition. Ifthe ethoxylated shea butter glyceride and vitamine E acetate were to beadded to the main batch as separate, independent additions (instead ofmanufacturing the side phase), the Vitamin E Acetate would not besolubilized in the main batch; when mixing is terminated, the vitamin Eacetate will rise to the top of the solution as an oil. Once theethoxylated shea butter/vitamin E acetate phase is added, then thepropylene glycol preservative phase (containing the propylene glycol,parabens and the fragrance) is added and mixed at ambient temperaturefor approximately 15 minutes.

Additional emulsifiers, preferably mild emulsifiers, such as polysorbate20 and other ethoxylated botanical butters may be employed in thesolution of the present invention, in the range of from about 0.1 toabout 2 weight percent, wherein the weight percent is based on a totalweight of said solution.

The present invention comprises glycerin to improve the smoothness, toprovide lubrication and as a humectant. Essential oils and botanicalextracts can be added for fragrance. The present invention comprises theuse of at least one fragrance to help convey a sense of freshness andscent pleasurable to one's olfactory senses. Fragrances derived frombotanical extracts such as cucumber and chamomile, along with variousfragrances, such as Bell Fragrances®, commercially available from theBell Fragrances Corporation, may be employed in the present invention.The amount of at least one fragrances may range from about 0.05 weightpercent to about 0.3 weight percent each wherein the weight percent isbased on a total weight of said solution.

The present invention further comprises at least one chelating agentdesigned to protect the structural integrity and fragrance of thebotanical extracts from unnecessary and unwanted iron which the solutionmay be exposed to during manufacturing. The presence of chelating agentsmay range from about 0.01 to about 0.1 weight percent, wherein theweight percent is based on a total weight of said solution. Preferredchelating agents of the present invention are edetate disodium,commercially available from Dow Chemical Company.

The wet wipes of the different aspects of the present invention may bemanufactured using several different processes well known to thoseskilled in the art. The particular method and sequence of stepsdescribed herein is not a limitation to the present invention, but isdisclosed only as one method of producing a wet wipe and stack of wetwipes. Initially, a supply roll of the material being converted into thewet wipes is unwound to provide a continuously moving web of material.The web of material is saturated or otherwise impregnated with thesolution of the present invention by any suitable means such asspraying, dipping, or the like as are well known to those skilled in theart.

The web of material is slit in the machine direction into multipleribbons, each of which may be folded into the type of fold desired forthe individual wet wipe. The web of material is slit using a cutter asare well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the web ofmaterial can be slit into a pre-determined number of individual ribbons.The ribbons of material are then folded into a folded configuration suchas a z-folded configuration. For example, each ribbon of material maydefine a top flap portion, a central portion and a bottom flap portion.The top and bottom flap portions are connected to and folded over andunder the central portion, respectively to provide the z-foldedconfiguration.

Each folded ribbon may then be combined, one ribbon on top of the other,with the other pre-determined number of folded ribbons from the same webof material to form a continuous towel. The towel is then cut into“clips” of wet wipes and the clips of wet wipes are arranged in astacked configuration. The number of clips in a stack depends on thedesired number of stacks and the number of wet wipes, such as 48 or 60individual wet wipes, in the final package. The wet stacks areperiodically weight checked, to assure the solution add-on is correct.If not, the solution add-on is adjusted. After the stack of wet wipes isproperty configured, it may be overwrapped, preferably with a plasticwrap, and then placed in the interior of a container, such as a plastictub, to provide a package of wet wipes. The container provides asubstantially hermetically sealed environment for the wet wipes tominimize the escape of any solution therefrom.

With respect to the manufacturing process for the individual wipewrapped in a foil pouch, the pre-cut (preferably 5 inches by 6 inches),dry wipe is placed in the pouch and then the solution of the presentinvention is added to the pouch. The ratio of solution to dry wipe isgreater in the pouch because there is some solution pooling in thepouch.

Accordingly, the different aspects of the present invention canadvantageously provide wet wipes which, when compared to conventionalwet wipes, have improved tactile properties and cleaning whilemaintaining low levels of skin irritation and foaming. Such wet wipescan advantageously be used for application to a woman's anal-rectal andperineal area, which, when compared to conventional wet wipes, haveimproved cleaning efficacy without excessive skin irritation or foamingand convey a sense and smell of freshness. Additional uses may comprisebaby wipes, hand wipes, face wipes, cosmetic wipes, household wipes,industrial wipes and the like.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to provide a more detailedunderstanding of the invention. The particular materials and parametersare exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 A particularly suitable solution for the wet wipes of thepresent invention was prepared according to the following formulation:

This formula is described as a clear solution, which contains 20% w/wWitch Hazel as the active ingredient. The final product is a white,moist wipe saturated with this solution.

Active Ingredients Component Name/Commercially Label Designationsavailable from Vendor % w/w (LD) Witch Hazel USP (14% Alcohol)/ 20.0Witch Hazel¹ American Distilling Inc. Alcohol, 14.0-15.0% InactiveIngredients Label Designations Component Name/Vendor % w/w (LD) WaterPurified USP/Manufacturing Site 63²  Purified Water Glycerin USP,96%/The Procter & Gamble 9.0 Glycerin Company, Cincinnati, OH PropyleneGlycol USP/The Dow Chemical 5.0 Propylene Glycol Company, Midland, MIPEG 75 Shea Butter, Ethoxylated, Lipex 1.5 PEG 75 Shea Butter 102E-75/Aarhuskarlshamn Glycerides (emollient and co-solubilizer) CucumberExtract,/Medallion International 0.2 N/A Inc. Cucumis Sativus CucumberExtract, 44.4% (Cucumber) Fruit Propylene Glycol, 50.0% Extract Water,5.0% Propylene Glycol Neolone PE (preservative), 0.6% Purified WaterChamomile Extract/Medallion International 0.2 N/A Inc. ChamomillaRecutita Chamomile Extract, 39.0% (Matricaria) Flower Propylene Glycol,50.0% Extract Water. 10.0% Propylene Glycol DMDM Hydantoin(preservative), 1.0% Purified Water DMDM Hydantoin Germall II(Diazolidinyl Urea)/ISP 0.2 Diazolidinyl Urea Technologies, Inc.Methylparaben NF/Ueno Fine Chemicals 0.2 Methylparaben Industry, LtdTego Betaine 810/Evnoik Degussa 0.1 Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine AloeVera Gel/Concentrated Aloe Inc. 0.1 N/A Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice AloeBarbadensis Leaf Juice Potassium Sorbate N/A Sodium Benzoate N/A VitaminE Acetate USP-FCC;/DSM 0.1 Vitamin E Acetate Nutritional Products LtdCitric Acid USP Anhydrous Granular/Archer  0.09 Anhydrous Citric AcidDaniels Midland Company Sodium Citrate USP Hydrous/Archer  0.09 SodiumCitrate Daniels Midland Company Edetate Disodium USP (Versene NA);  0.05Edetate Disodium VERSENE NA CHELATING AGENT/The Dow Chemical CompanyFragrance/Bell Flavors and Fragrances/Bell  0.05 N/A FragrancesCorporation Polysorbate 20 Polysorbate 20, >50% Dipropylene GlycolDipropylene Glycol, 10-20% Fragrance Synthetic Aromatics, 25-50%Propylparaben NF/Ueno Fine Chemicals  0.05 Propylparaben Industry, LtdEndnotes ¹Witch Hazel USP contains 14.5% v/v alcohol. The alcoholcontent of the formulation is from about 2.8 to about 3.0% w/w, which iscontributed entirely by the witch hazel component. ²Purified water isemployed as rinse water and as a direct addition. In all cases, therinse water is subsequently added to the main mixing vessel.

Example 2

A suitable solution for the wet wipes of the present invention wasprepared according to the following formulation:

The amount of witch hazel was increased to 50 w/w % and the amount ofwater was reduced to about 33 w/w %.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to thespecific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled inthe art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readilyconceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to theseaspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should beassessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wet wipe comprising a fibrous sheet materialand a non-oily aqueous-based solution which comprises: a.) from about 10to about 50 percent witch hazel; b.) from about 0.01 to about 2 percentof at least one emulsifier; and c.) from about 0.01 to about 0.20percent of at least one emollient; wherein the weight percent is basedon a total weight of said solution.
 2. The wet wipe according to claim 1wherein the at least one emollient in the solution is vitamin E acetate.3. The wet wipe according to claim 1 wherein the at least one emulsifierin the solution is an ethoxylated shea butter.
 4. The wet wipe accordingto claim 1 wherein said fibrous sheet material comprises a nonwovenmaterial.
 5. The wet wipe according to claim 1 wherein said wet wipecomprises from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of said solutionbased on a dry weight of said wet wipe.
 6. The wet wipe according toclaim 1 wherein said wet wipe comprises from about 4:1 solution to wipebased on dry weight of said wet wipe.
 7. The wet wipe according to claim1 wherein the solution comprises a ratio of at least one emulsifier toat least one emollient of about 10:1.
 8. The wet wipe according to claim3 wherein the solution comprises about 1.5% ethoxylated shea butter,wherein the weight percent is based on a total weight of said solution.9. The wet wipe according to claim 1 wherein the solution comprises atleast one surfactant.
 10. The wet wipe according to claim 9 wherein theat least one surfactant is capryl/capramidopropyl betaine.
 11. The wetwipe according to claim 1 wherein the solution further includes fromabout 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent based on a total weight of saidsolution of at least one antimicrobial preservative.
 12. The wet wipeaccording to claim 11 wherein the antimicrobial preservative comprisesdiazolidinyl urea, propylparaben, and methylparaben.
 13. The wet wipeaccording to claim 1 wherein the solution has a pH of from about 5 toabout
 7. 14. The wet wipe according to claim 1 wherein said solutionfurther comprises from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent glycerinbased on a total weight of said solution.
 15. The wet wipe according toclaim 1 said solution further comprises from about 0.01 to about 0.5weight percent botanical extracts based on a total weight of saidsolution.
 16. The wet wipe according to claim 1 wherein the solutioncomprises about 20 weight percent witch hazel based on a total weight ofsaid solution.
 17. A method of using a wet wipe made in accordance withclaim 1 comprising using the wet wipe with the solution containedthereon to wipe a human's skin and leaving a solution deposited by usingthe wet wipe on the human's skin after wiping is completed.
 18. A wetwipe comprising a fibrous sheet material and a non-oily aqueous-basedsolution which comprises: a.) about 50 weight percent witch hazel; b.)about 9 weight percent glycerin; c.) about 5 weight percent propyleneglycol; d.) about 1.5 weight percent ethoxylated shea butter; e.) about0.2 weight percent cucumber extract; f.) about 0.2 weight percentchamomile extract; g.) about 0.2 weight percent diazolidinyl urea; h.)about 0.2 weight percent fragrance; i.) about 0.2 weight percentmethylparaben; j.) about 0.1 weight percent capramidopropyl betaine; k.)about 0.1 weight percent aloe vera; l.) about 0.1 weight percent vitaminE actetate; m.) about 0.09 weight percent citric acid; n.) about 0.09weight percent sodium citrate; o.) about 0.05 weight percent edetatedisodium; and p.) about 0.05 weight percent propylparaben; q.) about 33weight percent added purified water; based on a total weight of saidsolution.
 19. A method of using a wet wipe made in accordance with claim18 comprising using the wet wipe with the solution contained thereon towipe a human's skin and leaving a solution deposited by using the wetwipe on the human's skin after wiping is completed.
 20. A wet wipecomprising a fibrous sheet material and a non-oily aqueous-basedsolution which comprises: a.) about 20 weight percent witch hazel; b.)about 9 weight percent glycerin; c.) about 5 weight percent propyleneglycol; d.) about 1.5 weight percent ethoxylated shea butter; e.) about0.2 weight percent cucumber extract; f.) about 0.2 weight percentchamomile extract; g.) about 0.2 weight percent diazolidinyl urea; h.)about 0.2 weight percent fragrance; i.) about 0.2 weight percentmethylparaben; j.) about 0.1 weight percent capramidopropyl betaine; k.)about 0.1 weight percent aloe vera; l.) about 0.1 weight percent vitaminE actetate; m.) about 0.09 weight percent citric acid; n.) about 0.09weight percent sodium citrate; o.) about 0.05 weight percent edetatedisodium; and p.) about 0.05 weight percent propylparaben; q.) about 63weight percent added purified water; based on a total weight of saidsolution.